A bachelor’s degree with a major from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of at least 3.00 for the last 60 units of college-level work attempted.

To ensure adequate background, a candidate for admission should have experience or course preparation in the following areas:

State and local government

Federalism and intergovernmental relations

Influences on domestic policy making

Recommended: One year experience working in a nonprofit organization or course in introduction to nonprofit organizations (example through Sonoma County Volunteer Center)

Candidates without such experience or course preparation can be admitted to the program but must make up deficiencies during the first three semesters of study. Prerequisites do not count toward the 40-unit degree. Acceptability of experience or previous course work as prerequisites will be determined in consultation with the program’s graduate coordinator.

Completion of both University and departmental applications. Included in the departmental application are three letters of reference. Only three letters will be considered.

Recommendation of the program graduate coordinator for entrance to the program.

Satisfactory completion of required course work, including elective units. No courses for which a grade less than B is earned will be acceptable in meeting the 40-unit M.P.A. requirement. Students earning a B- or lower in a course will be required to repeat the course with a grade of B or better.

Completion of a master’s thesis and oral defense, or two comprehensive written examinations.

Recommendation of the program graduate coordinator.

Successful completion of the WEPT (or its equivalent), or waiver by the University of this requirement. This waiver is granted by the program graduate coordinator.